Package for a liquid laundry detergent

ABSTRACT

A package for a liquid laundry detergent composition. The package includes a container; a liquid laundry detergent composition contained in the container; and a cap removably attached to the container. The cap has a base having a base interior and a base exterior opposing the base interior, the base interior having a periphery. The cap has a vessel wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposing the interior surface, the vessel wall extending from the periphery to a rim and the interior surface and the base interior defining a pour volume. The base interior forms a closed end of the pour volume. The cap has an in-mold label affixed to at least a portion of the exterior surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Package for a liquid laundry detergent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laundering clothing presents many sensorial rewards to people who dolaundry. They experience the scent of the laundry detergent as it isdosed into the washing machine, the blooming of perfume during the washcycle, the release of perfume when they transfer wet laundry from thewashing machine to a dryer, the blooming of the perfume during drying,the release of perfume during folding, the soft feel of retrieving cleanand dried clothing from the dryer, and the delight of wearing freshsmelling clothing. Over the course of doing the laundry, the scentexperience is an enjoyable and rewarding part of the process. However,the tactile experience of doing the laundry is sometimes perceivednegatively.

One reason for the negative perception of the tactile experience ofdoing the laundry is the nature of detergents that are used to washclothing. In particular, liquid laundry detergents, while providing forexceptional cleaning and stain removal, tend to have somewhat of aslippery or slimy feel. It is not uncommon for small amounts of liquidlaundry detergent to be spilled, dripped, or runoff as the liquiddetergent is dosed to the washing machine. Sometimes these small amountsof laundry detergent end up being deposited on the cap of the packagefor the laundry detergent.

For many liquid laundry detergent products, the cap functions as thedosing device for the detergent. The cap can also function as theclosure of the container of detergent. The cap can also be an articlethat is removably attached to the container, directly or indirectly, andcan be used for dosing detergent.

The consumer interacts with the cap multiple times during the launderingprocess: first by removing the cap, second by dosing the detergent intothe cap, third by applying the dose of detergent to the wash tub, andfourth by attaching the cap back to the container, either as a closureor a component that is releasably attachable to the container, directlyor indirectly. During handling of the cap, it is not uncommon for asmall amount of slippery liquid laundry detergent to be deposited on theexterior surface of the cap.

With the advent of caps that also function as a stain pretreatmentdevice, the consumer may handle the cap as she pretreats a stain on anarticle of clothing. In some designs, a small quantity of liquid laundrydetergent is applied to the stain and a portion of the exterior surfaceof the cap is used to rub against a stain to pretreat the stain. Thisprocess can result in some residual amount of slippery liquid laundrydetergent being left on the outer surface of the cap.

When there is some liquid detergent composition on the exterior surfaceof a cap, consumers can have a hard time handling the cap or attachingthe cap to the package, for instance by screwing the cap into thecontainer, or attaching the cap to the container in some other manner.For instance, her grip may slip as she screws the cap into the containeror unscrews or removes the cap during her next use of the detergent.

Further, if the cap also functions as a stain pretreatment device, theslipperiness of the cap being used as a pretreatment device can make itdifficult for the consumer to handle as she pretreats a stain. If theconsumer applies considerable force on the cap during pretreatment, hergrip may slip on the slick surface of the cap as she vigorously rubs thestain with the cap. This can result in spillage of any detergent left inthe cap after applying some detergent to the stain.

With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed needfor caps for liquid laundry detergent packages that provide for a securegrip when opening and closing the package as well as secure handling ofthe cap when the cap is used to pretreat a stained article of clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A package for a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising acontainer; a liquid laundry detergent composition contained in thecontainer; and a cap removably attached to the container, wherein thecap comprises: a base having a base interior and a base exterioropposing the base interior, the base interior having a periphery; avessel wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposingthe interior surface, the vessel wall extending from the periphery to arim, the interior surface and the base interior defining a pour volume,the base interior forming a closed end of the pour volume; and anin-mold label affixed to at least a portion of the exterior surface. Thecap can comprise a plurality of surface irregularities at locationselected from the group consisting of on the rim, proximal the rim, onthe exterior surface, on the base exterior, and combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a package that includes a container and a cap,the cap having an in-mold label.

FIG. 2 is a side view, with a portion of the cap and closure rendered incross section, of a package that includes a container and a cap, the capbeing releasably attachable to and detachable from the container and thecap having an in-mold lab.

FIG. 3 is cap and a container.

FIG. 4 is an in-mold labeling apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an in-mold labeling apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an in-mold labeling apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a cap having an in-mold label, the height ofthe in-mold label varying about the longitudinal axis of the cap.

FIG. 8 is a cap having an in-mold label and surface irregularities onthe rim.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of ribs.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of nubs.

FIG. 11 illustrates and embodiment of bristles.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of rings.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cap in which the bristles are nested within themaximum radial extent and maximum axial extent of the cap, the height ofthe in-mold label varying about the longitudinal axis of the cap.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a cap having surface irregularities and anin-mold label.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a cap having surface irregularities and anin-mold label.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the cap shown in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a package 2 for a liquid laundrydetergent composition 300. The package can comprise a container 110containing liquid laundry detergent 300. A cap 10 can be removablyattached to the container 110. The cap 10 can be removably attached tothe container 110, by way of non-limiting example, by screwing the cap10 into the container 110. Arranged as such, the cap 10 can be unscrewedfrom the container 110 to obtain a dose of the liquid laundry detergentcomposition 300. Once the dose is applied to the laundry, the cap 10 canbe screwed back into the container 110 or otherwise be made to beoperatively related to the container. In such an arrangement, the cap 10can be the closure of the container 110. The cap 10 can be a dosing capsized and dimensioned for providing a unit dose of detergent composition300. The cap 10 can comprise an in-mold label 600. The cap 10 cancomprise instructions 605 on using the cap 10 to pretreat stains inclothing. The instructions 605 can be provided on the in-mold label 600.The cap 10 can comprise surface irregularities 150 on a portion thereof.The in-mold label 600 disposed on the exterior surface 80 of the cap 10can comprise instructions for using the cap to pretreat a garment. Theinstructions 605 can be text or other indicia, for example a pictorialrepresentation, instructing on use of the cap 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a package 2 for a liquidlaundry detergent composition 300. The package can comprise a container110 containing liquid laundry detergent 300. A cap 10 can be removablyattached to the container 110. The cap 10 can be removably attached tothe container 110, by way of non-limiting example, by snapping aprotrusion 700 into a receptor 710 that is in the closure 720 of thecontainer 110 or other component of the container 110. Arranged as such,the cap 10 can be removed from closure 720, the closure 720 eitheropened or removed from the container 110, and liquid laundry detergentcomposition 300 can be dosed into the cap 10 and dosed into the washingmachine, for example by pouring or placing the entire cap 10 in the tubof the washing machine. The cap 10 can be reattached to the container110 after being sent through the wash or after dosing a unit dose ofdetergent composition 300 from the cap 10.

The closure 720 can be a threaded closure that screws into and out ofthe container 110. The closure 720 can be flip top closure. The cap 10can be sealingly engaged with the container 110, for example by athreaded connection.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a cap 10 for dispensing a detergentcomposition 300. The detergent composition can comprise a surfactant.The detergent composition 300 can comprise a surfactant and a bleachcompound. The detergent composition 300 can comprise a surfactant and anenzyme. The cap 10 comprises a base 20. The base 20 has a base interior30 and a base exterior 40 opposing the base interior 30. The baseinterior 30 has a periphery 50. The base 20 can be a single layer ofmaterial, such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene, amultilayered material, a hollow member, or any other such structure ormaterial having sufficient structural integrity to be used in a cap 10for a container 110 of laundry detergent composition 300. The baseexterior 40 can provide a surface arrangement that can be stably setupon another surface that is substantially flat as measured on a scaleof centimeters, such as a table or a flat portion of a washing machineor dryer. Such surface arrangement can be a generally flat surface orcontoured surface arrangement. When the base 20 is set on a flatsurface, detergent composition 300 from a container 110 can be pouredinto the pour volume 100 of the cap 10 and the cap 10 will not easilytip over as detergent composition 300 is poured into the pour volume100. The pour volume 100 can be more than about 5 mL, alternatively morethan about 15 mL, alternatively more than about 30 mL. The pour volume100 can be sized and dimensioned to contain a single dose of thedetergent composition 300. The pour volume 100 can be sized anddimensioned to contain less than 200 mL of detergent composition 300,alternatively less than about 180 mL alternatively less than about 170mL, alternatively less than about 140 mL, alternatively less than about100 mL of detergent composition.

A vessel wall 60 extends from the periphery 50 to a rim 90. The vesselwall 60 extends about the longitudinal axis L of the cap. The vesselwall 60 has an interior surface 70 and an exterior surface 80 opposingthe interior surface 70. The vessel wall 60 can be a single layer ofmaterial, such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene, amultilayered material, a hollow member, or any other such structure ormaterial having sufficient structural integrity to be used as a cap 10for a container of laundry detergent composition 300. The interiorsurface 70 can be provided with one or more indicia 62 that mark thedesired level of detergent composition 300 that provides for anappropriate unit dose of detergent composition 300. The indicia 62 canbe an etch, a depression, a raised portion, printing, or any otherstructure that is observable by the consumer. The vessel wall 60 can bea cylindrical segment.

The interior surface 70 and base interior 30 together define a pourvolume 100, the base interior 30 forming a closed end of the pour volume100. The pour volume 100 can be sized and dimensioned to provide for aunit dose of a detergent composition 300. The detergent composition 300can be a liquid detergent composition 300 such as any of the liquiddetergents marketed as TIDE, available from The Procter & Gamble Co.,Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. In one embodiment, the interior surface 70 andbase interior 30 together form an open ended, or partially open ended,cup with the base interior 30 forming the closed end of the cup. Thelongitudinal axis L can extend through the open portion of the open endof the cap 10 defined by or partially by the rim 90.

The interior surface 70 of the vessel wall 60 can be defined by asurface of revolution about the longitudinal axis L. In one embodiment,interior surface 70 of the vessel wall 60 can be defined by a portion ofthe interior surface of a hollow cylinder. Surfaces of revolutions offunctions not parallel to the longitudinal axis L and surfaces ofrevolution of non-linear functions are contemplated. A cap 10 having aninterior surface 70 of vessel wall 60 that is a surface of revolutioncan provide for ease of manufacture of the cap 10 and engaging the cap10 with the container 110 after filling the container 110 with detergentcomposition 300 during manufacture and packaging.

The cap 10 can be sealingly engaged to a container 110 containing adetergent composition 300. By sealingly engaged, it is meant that thecap 10 does not leak an unacceptable quantity of detergent composition300 from the container 110 under stresses to the cap 10 and container110 that occur during manufacturing, packaging, shipping, handling,storage, and use of the container 110 and detergent composition 300stored therein. The cap 10 can be sealingly engaged to the container 110by a connector 130 disposed on the cap 10 and a corresponding receiver132 disposed on an opening 112 (or open end) of the container. Theconnector 130 and corresponding receiver 132 can be a lug and groovecombination, the combination being arranged such the lug can be theconnector 130 or the receiver 132 and the groove being whichever of theconnector 130 and receiver 132 that the lug is not. The connector 130and receiver 132 can be interlocking correspondingly disposed threads134 helically disposed on the cap 10 and container 110. That is, theconnector 130 can be threads and the receiver 132 can be correspondingthreads. The cap 10 can be sealingly engaged to the container by threads134 helically disposed on the cap 10 and corresponding disposed threads134 on the opening 112 of the container 110. The cap 10 can be providedwith a connector 130 at any suitable location such that the connector130 can be operatively engaged with the receiver 132 on the container110. The connector 130 can be disposed on the exterior surface 80 of thevessel wall 60. The connector 130 can be disposed on the interiorsurface 70 of the vessel wall 60. The cap 10 can be provided withthreads 134 in any suitable location such that the threads 134 can beoperatively engaged with the container 110. The threads 134 can bedisposed on the exterior surface 80 of the vessel wall 60. The threads134 can be disposed on the interior surface 70 of the vessel wall 60,which can provide for cleaner use of the cap 10.

The cap 10 can comprise an in-mold 600 label affixed to at least aportion of the exterior surface 80. In-mold labeling is a method fordecorating molded parts in which an in-mold label is placed in the moldbefore the part is formed. The in-mold label 600 can comprise the sameresin as the molded part or be comprised of some other resin or mixtureof resins such that in-mold label 600 fuses with the molded part whenthe molded part is formed. That is, the in-mold label 600 is integrallyembedded to the molded part, for instance the cap 10. Advantageously,this process eliminates the need for an adhesive to hold a label on thepart or relying on tension in a label shrink sleeve to secure the shrinksleeve label. Further, labels provided via in-mold labeling do not slipoff of the molded part like shrink sleeves have a propensity to do. Thein-mold label 600 can be sized and dimensioned such that the in-moldlabel 600 is bounded by the boundary of the exterior surface 80 so thatthe in-mold label 600 does not extend beyond the exterior surface 80.The vessel wall 60 of the cap 10 can be injection molded frompolypropylene. The in-mold label 600 can be a polypropylene film. Thein-mold label can be free of adhesive. The package 2 can be free from anadhesive between the in-mold label 600 and the container 110.

In the in-mold labeling process, an in-mold label 600 is placed in thecavity of the female mold and held in the desired position by vacuumports, electrostatic attraction, or a roll-feed device. In the case ofinjection molding in-mold labeling, the mold is closed and moltenplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity where the molten resinconforms to the shape of the cavity. Hot resin envelopes surfaces of thein mold label that are not facing the surface of the mold and makes thein-mold label 600 and integral part of the molded part. The in-moldlabel 600 is a constituent part of the molded part, for example the cap10, as opposed to being a label adhered to the part. The in-mold label600 can be fused to the exterior surface 80 of the vessel wall

In typical in-mold labeling processes, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, a robot isused to pick up a stack-cut in-mold label 600 from a label magazine 900and place the in-mold label 600 in the female mold 910. Pick-up can beprovided for by employing a mandrel 920, possibly a rotating mandrel orother end-of-arm tool, having vacuum ports 940 to draw the in-mold label600 onto the machine element conveying the in-mold label 600 from themagazine to the female mold. The mold can be provided with vacuum portsto draw the in-mold label 600 against a surface of the mold cavity.Alternatively, a static charge is placed on the in-mold label 600 by acharging applicator 930 after the in-mold label 600 is picked up fromthe label magazine and the mold can be grounded, thereby attracting thein-mold label 600 to the surface of the mold.

The mandrel 920 is inserted into the female mold 910 where the in-moldlabel 600 is attracted to the female mold 910. The empty mandrel 920 isremoved from the female mold 910. And the male mold 940 is inserted intothe female mold 910 and then melted resin is injected into the cavitydefined by the male mold 940 and female mold 910.

A cap 10 having an in-mold label 600 is thought to have severalpotential advantages over a cap 10 that is devoid of any such label orhas a shrink sleeve label. Typically, caps 10 are formed frompolypropylene. When injection molded, polypropylene can have a slicksurface, especially when wetted with water or detergent. Caps 10 usedfor laundry detergent packages 2 tend to become wetted with laundrydetergent 300 over the course of usage. When the slick surface of thepolypropylene cap 10 is wetted with laundry detergent 300, the cap 10can be difficult to tighten and/or remove from the package 2 since theuser might be unable to get a firm grasp on the cap 10. To overcome thisproblem, designers of caps 10 sometimes provide texture to the cap 10via texture cut into the molds in which the caps 10 are made. Injectionmolds are expensive capital items so manufacturers tend to want to usethe molds for as long as possible. Thus, once a designer of a cap hasselected a design for the texture, the manufacturer may be stuck with astatic design for the texture on the cap 10. This limits designers'potential to change the texture when more efficacious or visuallyattractive textures are identified through research and development.Further, this limits designers' potential to excite consumers with newpatterns for the texture on the cap 10. In-mold labels 600 having avariety of textures are readily available in the market. Thus, designerscan simply change from one in-mold label 600 having a certain texture toanother in-mold label 600 having another texture to change the designthe cap 10, without having to fabricate a new mold. This can be asubstantial capital cost savings for a manufacturer and can grant themanufacturer a wide range of design freedom.

Shrink sleeve labels can suffer from the defect that the labelsfrequently become unattached from the cap 10 during manufacturing,storage, shipping, display, and home use. Unattached labels can causefaults in manufacturing equipment and result in messy displays in whichsome packages 2 have a label on the cap 10 and some packages 2 do nothave a label on the cap. Even the use of an adhesive between the shrinksleeve and the cap 10 has failed to reduce this defect to a low enoughfrequency to be acceptable to manufacturers and consumers.

The in-mold label 600 can substantially circumscribe the vessel wall 60.Such an arrangement can be practical for ensuring that when the consumerpicks up the cap 10, her hand is highly likely to be in contact with thein-mold label 600. Further, such an arrangement can provide the marketerwith space on which to provide decoration, instruction, indicia, or textobservable to the consumer at the point of purchase and during use.

The in-mold label 600 can be textured. A textured in-mold label 600 canprovide a better surface, in comparison to a shrink wrap label or a cap10 having a smooth vessel wall exterior surface 80, for the consumer togrip as she removes the cap 10 from the package 2, uses the cap 10 todose detergent composition 300, or uses the cap 10 to pretreat a stainin an article of clothing. An example of a textured in-mold label 600 isORANGE PEEL FILM, available from Drukkerij Verstraete n.v., Maldegem,Belgium, which is a white foamed film (70 μm thick) formed from multiplelayers. The orange peel name refers to the texture of the film beingsimilar to the texture found in an orange peel. The texture can beprovided by a plurality of high and low regions differing in elevationby more than about 10 μm, alternatively more than about 20 μm,alternatively more than about 40 μm, alternatively more than about 50μm. The texture can be a micro pattern. Texture can be imparted to alabel, for example, by hydroforming, a transfer process (optionally UV),pattern molding, or roller pressing method. Suitable materials for thein-mold label include polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate,polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, or the like.

The vessel wall 60 can have a height H, as shown in FIG. 7. The height Hextends between the periphery 50 and the rim 90 in a direction parallelto the longitudinal axis L. The height H can be variable about thelongitudinal axis L. A variable height H can exist in a cap 10 that hasa base 20 that is not flat. The in-mold label 600 can have a labelheight B. The label height B can be aligned with the height H of thevessel wall 60. The label height B can be variable about thelongitudinal axis L and the in-mold label 600 can fit within boundariesof the vessel wall 60. That is, the label height B can vary at differentlocations on the vessel wall 60. The boundaries of the vessel wall canbe the periphery 50 and the rim 90. Without being bound by theory, it isthought that placing a shrink sleeve label on a cap 10 having non-flatbase 20 can be challenging to do and yield results that are notaesthetically pleasing and possibly distort any printing that is on theshrink sleeve.

The cap 10 can have a sealing flange 91 extending from the vessel wall60 and extending about the longitudinal axis L. The in-mold label 600can fit within an area of the cap 10 bounded by the periphery 50 and thesealing flange 91.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cap 10 can comprise a plurality of surfaceirregularities 150 at a location selected from the group consisting ofon the rim 90, on the exterior surface 80, and combinations thereof. Forinstance, as shown in FIG. 8, the surface irregularities 150 can be onor proximal the rim 90. The surface irregularities 150 can be on the rim90 and between the connector 130 and the rim 90. The surfaceirregularities 150 can be on the rim 90. The surface irregularities 150can be within about 5 mm of the rim 90. The surface irregularities 150can be on or within about 5 mm of the rim 90. The surface irregularities150 can be on the rim 90 and between the connector 130 disposed on thecap 10 and the rim 90. When the consumer grips the cap 10 to executepouring, once the pour is made, surface irregularities 150 located assuch are in position to be used to scrub the stain on the fabric withthe surface irregularities 150 without requiring the consumer toreposition the cap 10 in her hand. Further, by placing the surfaceirregularities 150 as such, after using the cap 10 to pretreat and dosethe detergent composition 300, the surface irregularities 150, whichmight have a small amount of detergent composition 300 remainingthereon, can fit back within the opening 112 (that is the open end) ofthe container 110 to keep any mess inside the container 110.

The cap 10 can be provided with an in-mold label 600 as describedherein. The in-mold label 600 can provide the exterior surface 80 of thevessel wall 60 with a material that provides a secure non-slip grippingsurface to the consumer as she grips the cap 10 to pretreat a stain.Without being bound by theory, it is thought that as the consumervigorously rubs the first surface irregularities 150 back and forthacross a stain, that the cap 10 can be too slick to handle or gripsecurely, especially if detergent composition 300 has been deposited onthe exterior surface 80 of the cap 10. The in-mold label 600 can betextured, as described previously, to provide for a secure surface forthe consumer to grasp as she pretreats a stain by scrubbing the stain.

Surface irregularities 150 can provide a topographically diverse surfacethat can be rubbed against a stained fabric before or after detergentcomposition 300 is applied to a stain in a fabric as part of a stainpretreatment process. A topographically diverse surface is a surfacethat is not smooth. The surface irregularities 150 when rubbed against astain on a fabric are thought to help dislodge agglomerations of thestain, deform the fibrous structure of the fabric allowing the detergentcomposition 300 to more completely penetrate the fibrous structure, andmanipulate the fibers of the fabric thereby allowing a greater surfacearea of the fibers to be wetted with the detergent composition 300.Without being bound by theory, it is believed that dislodgingagglomerations of the stain, more completely penetrating the stainedfabric with detergent composition 300, and applying detergentcomposition 300 to a greater surface area of fibers can improve theefficacy of pretreatment of stains in fabrics.

The plurality of surface irregularities 150 can have a surfacetopography that is distinct from the surface topography of portions ofthe cap 10 adjacent the plurality of surface irregularities 150. Thesurface irregularities 150 can provide for a surface having a pluralityof peaks and a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude betweenadjacent peaks and low portions greater than about 0.1 mm. The surfaceirregularities 150 can provide for a surface having a plurality of peaksand a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude between adjacentpeaks and low portions greater than about 0.2 mm. The surfaceirregularities 150 can provide for a surface having a plurality of peaksand a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude between adjacentpeaks and low portions greater than about 0.5 mm. The surfaceirregularities 150 can provide for a surface having a plurality of peaksand a plurality of low portions that have an amplitude between adjacentpeaks and low portions greater than about 1 mm. The low portions can bevalleys. The plurality of surface irregularities 150 can define a regionthat has a surface topography that differs from the surface topographyof portions of the cap 10 adjacent the region. The surfaceirregularities 150 can be a series of elevated portions havingintermittently disposed recessed portions. Recessed portions can becontinuous. Elevated portions can be continuous.

In one embodiment, the surface irregularities 150 can comprise a firstmaterial and another portion of the cap 10 next to the first materialcan comprise a second material, wherein the first material and thesecond material differ from one another. In one embodiment, the surfaceirregularities 150 can comprise a first material and another portion ofthe cap 10 next to the first material can comprise a second material,wherein the first material and the second material differ from oneanother by a property selected from the group consisting of modulus ofelasticity, chemical composition, Shore A hardness, color, andcombinations thereof. Shore A Hardness is measured following ASTM D2240on a material of the same composition as the material being evaluated. Acap 10 comprising surface irregularities 150 comprised of a firstmaterial and another portion of the cap 10 next to the first materialcomprising a second material can be formed by a two shot injectionmolding process, with the first material and the second materialdelivered to the mold in separate shots. In one embodiment, the firstmaterial can comprise polypropylene, rubber, neoprene, and/or KRATON. Inone embodiment, the portion of the cap 10 next to the first material canbe high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, styrolacrylintrol. The first surface irregularities 150 can be an elastomericmaterial.

In one embodiment the first material can have a softer feel to the userthan the second material, as might be indicated by a lower Shore Ahardness or lower modulus of elasticity. The second material can beselected to provide for acceptable overall structural stability of thecap during packaging, storing, shipping, and display of the detergentcomposition 300 and during use of the cap 10 by the consumer to pretreatstains. A more readily deformable first material might provide for ascrubbing surface that is gentler on the fabric being treated than ascrubbing surface formed of the second material and may not damage thefabric being treated. The first material can have a Shore A hardnessbetween about 20 and about 80. The first material can have a Shore Ahardness of between about 40 and about 60. The first material can have aShore A hardness that is less than about 80% of the Shore A hardness ofa portion of the cap 10 next to the first material.

Providing the first material and the second material in two differentcolors can help the consumer quickly identify what part of the cap 10 isengineered to be used for scrubbing the stain and might be helpful tovision systems that might be used to position the cap 10 duringmanufacture and/or assembly of the cap and packaging of the detergentcomposition 300. Providing the first material and the second material tohave different chemical composition can yield a cap 10 for whichdifferent parts of the cap 10 are designed to provide for differentfunctions, such as one part of the cap being practical and durable forscrubbing and another part of the cap 10 providing for structuralstability.

The plurality of surface irregularities 150 can be structures selectedfrom the group consisting of rings, ribs 152, nubs, bristles, fibers,and combinations thereof. Ribs are a plurality of elongated elevatedportions with intermittently disposed elongated recessed portions thatare depressed relative to the elevated portions. Ribs 152 can be, forexample, a plurality of adjacent grooves etched or molded in substrateand can be a plurality of adjacent ridges. Ribs can be formed in asubstrate, for example, by etching a plurality of adjacent grooves inthe substrate, by molding the substrate to leave behind a plurality ofadjacent grooves, and by molding the substrate to leave behind aplurality of adjacent ridges. An example of a substrate that can form aportion of cap 10 having surface irregularities 150 having a pluralityof ribs 152 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 9. Ribs 152 can haveany desired cross sectional shape including straight edged and rounded.Ribs 152 can be curved along their length. Ribs 152 are thought toprovide for a bumpy topography that can effectively scrub and massagethe fabric.

Nubs 154 are generally two-dimensionally symmetric features that areelevated or depressed relative to adjacent portions, an exampleschematic of which is shown in FIG. 10. Nubs can be, by way ofnon-limiting examples, elevated portions or depressed portions having ashape of a portion of a hemisphere and elevated portions or depressedportions having a shape of a cylinder having a height H less than halfthe diameter D. An example of a substrate that can form a portion of cap10 having surface irregularities 150 having a plurality of nubs 154 isschematically illustrated in FIG. 10. Nubs 154 are thought to providefor a bumpy topography that can effectively scrub and massage thefabric.

An example of a portion of cap 10 having a plurality of bristles 156 isschematically illustrated in FIG. 11. Bristles 156 are filaments havingan aspect ratio of height H to diameter D greater than about 0.5. Thediameter D is determined at the base of the bristle which is thelocation from which the bristle 156 extends from the cap 10. The heightH of the bristle 156 is measured orthogonal to the surface from whichthe base of the bristle 156 extends with the bristle 156 extendedorthogonally from the surface from which the base of the bristle 156extends. Bristles 156 can have a self sustaining shape when extendedfrom the surface from which the base of the bristle 156 extends. Forbristles 156 having a non-cylindrical cross section, the diameter D istaken to be the diameter of a cylinder having the same cross-sectionalarea as the cross-section area of the bristle 156 at the location fromwhich the bristle 156 extends from the cap 10. The filaments can bediscrete filaments. Bristles 156 can be filaments having an aspect ratioof height H to diameter D greater than about 1. Bristles 156 can befilaments having an aspect ratio of height H to diameter D greater thanabout 0.5. Bristles 156 can be generally columnar bristles 156. Bristles156 are thought to provide for a rough texture/topography that caneffectively scrub and massage the fabric. Bristles 156 can be hollow.Bristles 156 can have a fixed end 256 and a free end 257.

Rings 158 are closed shapes in which the central portion 159 of theshape is recessed relative to a peripheral portion 161 of the shape,schematic examples of which are shown in FIG. 12. Rings 158 are thoughtto be practical in that they provide for a bumpy topography that caneffectively scrub and massage the fabric.

Fibers can be woven, nonwoven, hooked, or looped fibers, for example,and be provided for instance by a woven or nonwoven fibrous web beingattached to the cap 10 in the desired location. An inexpensive andeasily manufactured embodiment of cap 10 can be made by using fibers asthe surface irregularities 150.

Embodiments in which the cap comprises a plurality of surfaceirregularities 150 on the outside of the cap 10 such that the connecter130 is between the rim 90 and the surface irregularities 150 are alsocontemplated, as shown in FIG. 13. The scrubbing surface of the cap 10can be provided on the outside of the cap such that the connecter 130 isbetween the rim 90 and the surface irregularities 150 and possibly notbe provided elsewhere on the cap. The cap 10 can comprise a plurality ofsurface irregularities 150 at a location selected from the groupconsisting of on a portion of the base exterior 40, on a portion of theexterior surface 80, and combinations thereof.

The cap 10 can comprise a plurality of surface irregularities 150 at alocation selected from the group consisting of on said base exterior 40with said surface irregularities 150 being asymmetrically disposed aboutthe longitudinal axis L, on the exterior surface 80 with the surfaceirregularities 150 being asymmetrically disposed about the longitudinalaxis L, on the base exterior 40 with the surface irregularities 150comprising bristles 156, on the exterior surface 80 with the surfaceirregularities 150 comprising bristles 156, and combinations thereof. Insuch embodiments, the surface irregularities 150 can be disposed suchthat the connector 130 is between the rim 90 and the surfaceirregularities 150. Surface irregularities 150 can be any of thestructures described previously with respect to surface irregularities150. The surface irregularities 150 can be structures selected from thegroup consisting of rings 158, ribs 152, nubs 154, bristles 156, fibers,and combinations thereof.

By placing the surface irregularities 150 as such, the surfaceirregularities can be located such that after the consumer dispenses asmall volume of detergent composition 300 to pretreat a stain, thesurface irregularities 150 are located such that the user does not haveto reposition the cap 10 in her hand or significantly move her hand tobe able to position the surface irregularities 150 in an appropriateposition to be rubbed against the stain.

The surface irregularities 150 can comprise a first material and anotherportion of the cap 10 next to the first material can comprise a secondmaterial, wherein the first material and the second material differ fromone another by a property selected from the group consisting of modulusof elasticity, chemical composition, color, Shore A hardness, andcombinations thereof. Such an arrangement can be provided in the samemanner and for the same reasons as described above for a cap 10 in whichthe surface irregularities 150 are formed from a different material thananother portion of the cap 10.

Embodiments in which the surface irregularities 150 are asymmetricallydisposed about the longitudinal axis L can help the consumer identifywhat portion of the cap 10 is provided for scrubbing the stain duringpretreatment. By asymmetrically disposed, it is meant that suchasymmetrically disposed surface irregularities 150 are disposed suchthat the surface irregularities 150 on the exterior surface 80 or baseexterior 40 are not balanced about a single location, such as a point onthe longitudinal axis L or other point.

For surface irregularities 150 that are bristles 156, bristles 156 canbe formed such that the bristles are generally aligned parallel to thelongitudinal axis, as for instance shown in FIG. 13, or generallyaligned orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L. In such an arrangement,when the surface irregularities 150 are scrubbed against the stainedfabric, the cap 10 is likely to be tilted. Thus, as the user scrubs withthe cap, a combination of normal forces and shear forces can bedelivered to the stained fabric and the bristles 156 may tend to bendthereby creating an effective brushing movement of the individualbristles 156.

The bristles 156, if present as surface irregularities 150, can be setsuch that the bristles 156 are nested within the maximum radial extentof the exterior surface 80 of the cap 10 from the longitudinal axis L,as shown in FIG. 14. Such an arrangement can protect the bristles 156from damage during transport, storage, and use. For a similar benefit,the bristles 156 can be set such that the bristles 156 are nested withinthe maximum axial extent along the longitudinal axis L. Similarly, othertypes of surface irregularities can be nested within the maximum radialextent of the exterior surface 80 of the cap 10 from the longitudinalaxis L and nested within the maximum axial extent along the longitudinalaxis L.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a cap 10 inwhich the cap 10 can be removably attached and attachable to thecontainer 110. As shown in FIG. 15, the cap 10 can have surfaceirregularities 150 on the base 20. The surface irregularities 150 can bebristles or any of the surface irregularities 150 described herein. Asshown in FIG. 15, the cap 10 can comprise an in-mold label 600 on theexterior surface 80. A bottom view of the cap 10 shown in FIG. 15 isshown in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, the cap 10 can have a snappingprotrusion 700 that fit into a receptor 710 located on the container orclosure 720. The snapping protrusion can be a ring or other protrusion,or recess, within the pour volume 100 of the cap 10. Such protrusion, orrecess, can fit snuggly with the receptor 710, that is a receptor orprotrusion. Male to female fittings can be employed to provide for adegree of interlocking interconnectedness between the cap 10 and thecontainer 110 or closure 720.

A cap 10 may be used in a method of pretreating a clothing articlehaving a stained portion. The method can comprise the steps of removinga cap 10 from a container containing a detergent; pouring or dispensinga volume of the detergent composition 300 from the container 110 intothe cap 10; applying at least a portion of the volume of the detergentcomposition 300 to a stained portion of the stained clothing article;scrubbing the stained portion with a portion of the cap 10; reengagingthe cap 10 with the container 110 containing the detergent composition300. The step of scrubbing the stained portion with a portion of the cap10 can be performed with a portion of the cap 10 selected from the groupconsisting of the rim 90 of the cap 10, a portion of the cap 10 betweenthe rim 90 and the connector 130, the exterior surface 80, the baseexterior 40 of the cap 10, and combinations thereof. The cap 10 used inthe method can be any of the various embodiments and combinations ofembodiments of the cap 10 contemplated herein. The cap 10 can be removedfrom a container 110 by unscrewing the cap 10 to disengage threads 134on the cap 10 from corresponding threads 134 located on the container110. The cap 10 can be reengaged with the container 110 by screwing thecap 10 to engage threads 134 on the cap 10 with threads 134 located onthe container 110. The cap 10 can be removed from a container 110 bypulling the cap 10 off of the container 110 or closure 720 and reengagedwith the container 110 or closure 720 by pressing the cap 10 back intoplace. The volume of detergent composition 300 poured into the cap 10can be a unit dose of the detergent composition 300. The method cancomprise a step of placing the cap 10 in the drum of a washing machine.In such an approach, detergent composition 300 remaining in the cap 10after pretreatment of a stain can be delivered to the wash.

The color of the first material and second material are measured by thereflectance spectrophotometer according to the colors L*, a*, and b*values.

The color difference is calculated using the L*, a*, and b* values bythe formulaΔE=[(L*_(X.)−L*_(Y))²+(a*_(X.)−a*_(Y))²+(b*_(X)−b*_(Y))²]^(1/2). Herein,the ‘X’ in the equation represents the first material and ‘Y’ representsthe second material, X and Y cannot be the same two points ofmeasurement at the same time. For any particular comparison of thedifference in color, the location of X≠the location of Y.

Reflectance color is measured using the Hunter Lab LabScan XEreflectance spectrophotometer obtained from Hunter Associates Laboratoryof Reston, Va. A cap 10 is tested at an ambient temperature between 65°F. and 75° F. and a relative humidity between 50% and 80%.

The spectrophotometer is set to the CIELab color scale and with a D65illumination. The Observer is set at 10° and the Mode is set at 45/0°.Area View is set to 0.125″ and Port Size is set to 0.20″. Thespectrophotometer is calibrated prior to sample analysis utilizing theblack glass and white reference tiles supplied from the vendor with theinstrument. Calibration is done according to the manufacturer'sinstructions as set forth in LabScan XE User's Manual, Manual Version1.1, August 2001, A60-1010-862. If cleaning is required of the referencetiles or samples, only tissues that do not contain embossing, lotion, orbrighteners should be used (e.g., PUFFS tissue). Any sample point on thecap containing the color to be analyzed can be selected.

The cap 10 is placed over the sample port of the spectrophotometer witha white clamp disk placed behind the cap 10.

The cap 10 is removed and repositioned so that a minimum of six readingsof color of the cap 10 are conducted. If possible (e.g., the size of theimparted color on the element in question does not limit the ability tohave six discretely different, non-overlapping sample points), each ofthe readings is to be performed at a substantially different region onthe externally visible surface so that no two sample points overlap. Ifthe size of the portion of the cap comprising the first material orsecond material requires overlapping of sample points, only six samplesshould be taken with the sample points selected to minimize overlapbetween any two sample points. The readings are averaged to yield thereported L*, a*, and b* values for a specified color on an externallyvisible surface of an element.

The first material and second material are considered to have differentcolors if ΔE is greater than about 1.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package for a liquid laundry detergentcomposition comprising a container; a liquid laundry detergentcomposition contained in said container; and a cap removably attached tosaid container, wherein said cap comprises: a base having a baseinterior and a base exterior opposing said base interior, said baseinterior having a periphery; a vessel wall having an interior surfaceand an exterior surface opposing said interior surface, said vessel wallextending from said periphery to a rim, said interior surface and saidbase interior defining a pour volume, said base interior forming aclosed end of said pour volume; and an in-mold label affixed to at leasta portion of said exterior surface.
 2. The package according to claim 1,wherein said cap is a closure of said container.
 3. The packageaccording to claim 1, wherein said pour volume is more than about 5 mL.4. The package according to claim 1, wherein said pour volume is sizedand dimensioned to contain a dose of said detergent composition.
 5. Thepackage according to claim 1, wherein said cap is sealingly engaged withsaid container.
 6. The package according to claim 1, wherein saidin-mold label substantially circumscribes said vessel wall.
 7. Thepackage according to claim 1, wherein said in-mold label is textured. 8.The package according to claim 1, wherein said in-mold label does notextend beyond said exterior surface.
 9. The package according to claim1, wherein said cap has a longitudinal axis about which said vessel wallextends, wherein said vessel wall has a height between said peripheryand said rim that is variable about said longitudinal axis, wherein saidin-mold label has a label height aligned with said height of said vesselwall, wherein said label height is variable about said longitudinal axisand said in-mold label fits within boundaries of said vessel wall. 10.The package according to claim 1, wherein said cap comprises a pluralityof surface irregularities at location selected from the group consistingof on said rim, proximal said rim, on said exterior surface, on saidbase exterior, and combinations thereof.
 11. The package according toclaim 10, wherein said surface irregularities are selected from thegroup consisting of rings, ribs, nubs, bristles, fibers, andcombinations thereof.
 12. The package according to claim 10, whereinsaid in-mold label comprises instructions for using said cap to pretreata garment.
 13. The package according to claim 10, wherein said surfaceirregularities comprise bristles.
 14. The package according to claim 13,wherein said surface irregularities are located in a discrete region onsaid base exterior.
 15. The package according to claim 14, wherein saidcap has a longitudinal axis about which said vessel wall extends,wherein said base exterior has a maximum axial extent along saidlongitudinal axis, wherein said bristles are nested within said maximumaxial extent along said longitudinal axis.
 16. The package according toclaim 15, wherein said cap is threadably engaged with said container.17. The package according to claim 10, wherein said in-mold labelsubstantially circumscribes said vessel wall.
 18. The package accordingto claim 9, wherein said in-mold label is textured.
 19. The packageaccording to claim 9, wherein said in-mold label does not extend beyondsaid exterior surface.
 20. The package according to claim 9, whereinsaid liquid laundry detergent comprises a surfactant.